Can history resolve factor investors’ p-hacking questions?

Quants seek reassurance in the far distant past

The economist Campbell Harvey showed back in 2017 that many of the proliferation of factor strategies – famously dubbed the Factor Zoo – were statistically dubious.

Ever since, the question of so-called p-hacking has hung over the field. P-hacking is when quants formulate strategies that work in backtests but depend on chance patterns in history that fail to repeat.

Recent underperformance has further fed concerns. Three of the core equity factor strategies – momentum, value and size – trailed the

Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.

To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@risk.net or view our subscription options here: http://subscriptions.risk.net/subscribe

You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@risk.net to find out more.

Sorry, our subscription options are not loading right now

Please try again later. Get in touch with our customer services team if this issue persists.

New to Risk.net? View our subscription options

Register

Want to know what’s included in our free membership? Click here

This address will be used to create your account

Most read articles loading...

You need to sign in to use this feature. If you don’t have a Risk.net account, please register for a trial.

Sign in
You are currently on corporate access.

To use this feature you will need an individual account. If you have one already please sign in.

Sign in.

Alternatively you can request an individual account here